Quick change mounting means for switchboard meters and the like



Oct. 29, 1968 QUICK CHANGE MOU w. E. BROYLES 3,408,617 NTING MEANS FORSWITCHBOARD METERS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20, 1967 M32 Wayne 5.Bflog/ea LVVEVTOR 42 11 BY J w MJWYZM AYTORVE Y8 United States PatentOflice 3,408,617 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Amounting for meters whereby a meter may be quickly mounted on or removedfrom a of jack plugs in lieu of the terminal posts to which elec- Thisinvention relates to means for quickly connecting and disconnectingelectrical instruments such as meters to and from switchboards and thelike.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the time consumingprocedure required for mounting and demounting instruments on and fromswitchboards by replacing the usual threaded binding posts for theelectrical leads with plugs on the rear of the instrument which match upwith cooperating sockets more or less permanently fixed to theswitchboard.

Other objects and their attendant advantages will become apparent as thefollowing detailed description is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the quick connect instrument mountingmeans of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembled mounting means ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the mounting means of FIG. 2.

drawings. part 14 of a meter 16 having the including a flange 20 WhlChis conventionally provided being adapted to receive nuts 38 adjacent therear of the board 10 and which when with O-rings 46 which sealinglyengage the exposed parts of the socket members 28 to seal meter terminalcontacts.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that after the smallpanel member 30 has been properly said opening, and means for connectingthe board-carried members to a source of electrical energy, said plugand socket members being constructed and arranged to slidablyinter-engage or disengage when said inserted into or removed from saidopening, including engaging said sockets.

2. The combination of a switchboard or the like and an electricalinstrument, said board having an opening members rigidly fixed to saidboard, means received on said threaded members and cooperating with saidpanel member to securesaid memberin a pre selected spaced position withrespect to the rear face of said board.

4. The combination of claim 2 including electrical binding postsconnected to the rear face of said panel member, each of said postsbeing connected to one of the panel-carried members.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said instrument includes a faceflange, at least one positioning element extending rearwardly of saidface flange, said board having an opening therein receiving said elementto position said instrument against twisting with respect to itsopening.

. 4 References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,688,943 10/1928Schofield.

2,439,412 4/1948 Mitchell 339- 17 x 2,744,214 5/1956 Di Marco et al. 33917 x 2,877,438 3/1959 611111111111 3394-125 2,885,602 5/1959 Emerson etal. 339-47 3,038,141 6/1962 ChlUChiOlO 339-122 x 3,079,580 2/1963Paasche 339- 94 3,221,216 11/1965 Kobryner 339-126 x RICHARD E. MOORE,Primary Examiner;.

